Seeing Wen Leyang nodding his head, the middle-aged man’s expression immediately rejoiced, “Pleased to meet the young master Wen Leyang. I am the lowly servant Gou Changxi. We ascended the mountain so that we can be at your service. We are here to wait for the instructions of the young master.”
Wen Leyang felt so confused that he was uncertain if he was still Wen Leyang. “Are all of you from the One Word Palace as well? What kind of service are you providing?”
Gou Changxi grinned. Ignoring Wen Leyang’s first question, he pointed towards the hundreds of people behind him, “These people each have their own strengths. They are at your disposal.” He waved his hand upon saying that.
Twelve valor and vigor youths that appeared to look the same took a step forward simultaneously. Gou Changxi introduced them with a smile, “They know of some martial arts and they can cast some magic spells of an ordinary level. They are known as the ‘Twelve Moons’. Of course, the young master is talented and would not require their protection. Nonetheless, the young master should not be bothered to personally dismiss some of the minor characters that are out there.”
The twelve strong lads simultaneously bowed at Wen Leyang, “The Twelve Moons render their services, risking our lives for the young master!” Upon saying that, they retreated and stood behind Wen Leyang with a poker face.
Following that, seven or eight fat men with oily face stepped forward. Gou Changxi continued, “These are a few good chefs, mastering in Szechuan, Shandong, Guangdong to Teochew cuisines. Whenever the young master wishes, you can just order them to make the dishes.”
The chefs bowed to Wen Leyang and the leader of the chefs asked anxiously, “Where is the kitchen?”
Two more people stepped forward from the back. One of them was an old man with white hair and rosy complexion, appearing healthy and vigorous, while the other was a man at his prime age, wearing a golden-framed spectacles, with his suit well-ironed, appearing gentle and refined in manners. “One of them is an old doctor specializing in traditional Chinese medicine, while the other one is a specialist doctor trained from the Moscow Sechenov University of Medicine. Should the young master fall ill, they are here to treat you.”
More were being introduced afterward, including manservants in charge of caring for daily chores, tailors, masseurs, drivers and even stockbrokers, lawyers, accountants. Anything one could think of, this group of people could handle it. After everyone was being introduced, Gou Changxi finally smiled to Wen Leyang and said, “Young master, do you think these people are of any use to you? If you need anything still, I will go downhill immediately and search for the people you need.”
Wen Leyang took a closer look at the big group of people before his eyes. Everyone was smiling joyfully towards himself and his gaze finally fell on Gou Changxi’s face, “Mister Gou…”
“Call me old Gou will do. I am sure there are too many names for the young master to remember. If there is anything else, please feel free to instruct me.” Gou Changxi answered in a professional manner.
Wen Leyang laughed sincerely and virtuously, “I think that I will address you by mister, not old… Who sent all of you here? Wen Leyang is no one but a young fellow in the mountain. I am afraid I can’t instigate everyone’s gracious presence here.”
Wen Tunhai sneakily circled around the group of people. His footstep stopped right behind the group of people as he blocked their exit intentionally. He chuckled, “Tell us, was it the One Word Palace who sent all of you here?” The First Uncle’s tone of speaking was relaxed but there was not an ounce of pleasure in his eyes. Those who came bearing gifts, those who came looking for trouble, and even today they simply sent over people. What was happening to the Wen family village? No one knew what were these people scheming about here of whether there were any spies amongst these people.
At that moment, the Wen family village still could not understand what attracted the outsiders.
Gou Changxi gave a forced smile, “We are no one but some lowly manservants. We came to the mountain to serve the young master’s daily needs. We dare not simply make comments about other matters. Please show some kindness to us and help us to settle down. Our daily routine will not disturb the Wen family at all.”
Wen Leyang shook his head. It was fine to receive the gifts but this group of people with unknown background should definitely not be allowed to remain in the village. The First Uncle Wen Tunhai continued to chuckle, “Dare not simply make comments? Heh-heh, lower your head and take a look at your feet…”
When Wen Tunhai was done speaking, the hundreds of people immediately fled. The sound of their screaming and feet-stomping echoed. Stalks of red-colored tiny grass grew from every single person’s feet. Under the sun’s illumination, the grass glimmered in an eerie color.
Other than the twelve bodyguards and the old Chinese traditional medicine doctor, who bent over to take a closer look at the little grass, remained calm, the rest of the people broke out in a chaos. They stretched out their hands trying to pull out the grass on their feet, feeling afraid.
Wen Buzuo smilingly reminded them from the side, “Do not ever move your body. These grasses will bore through any slits it can find. It grows where there is blood and will eventually grow from the eyes and mouths. Nonetheless, the person can still live for another four to five years.
Wen Bushuo peered at the twelve bodyguards, “The Twelve Moons eh!”
The young man that was the leader of the Twelve Moons shook his head, “We received strict orders not to fight against the folks of the Wen family.”
Wen Buzuo tried to stand up for his brother, “What if the people of the Wen family are trying to kill Wen Leyang, what will you do?”
All the members of the Twelve Moons rolled their eyes at him. Their valor and vigor in their expressions were washed away by their helplessness.
Gou Changxi could no longer care about the purple grass growing on his feet. He ran about trying to console his inferior staffs and bowed towards Wen Leyang with his hands folded in salutation, “Young master, they are just ordinary people, they cannot take such a shock. I am afraid that if they don’t die of the poisoning, they might die of heart failure.” As he was saying that, he stomped his foot hard. He had been running around anxiously and the purple grass had already started spreading from his feet towards his knees.
Wen Leyang shook his head. He was afraid that these people had really infuriated the First Uncle. As the disciples of Wen Bucao never had the mercy to care if the people they were trying to murder were normal beings or unique people. He spoke sincerely to Gou Changxi, “All of you can never remain in the village. I think it is better for you to start telling the truth. Why did you come here? All the congratulations, the servicing, what is all that for?”
Gou Changxi’s expression was anxious, yet his tone of speaking was unusually determined, “Young master, I really can’t tell you the truth, you can turn us into grass people and I would still not be allowed to tell. Anyhow, if we are all dead, it will only take a few days before the next batch of manservants is sent here.”
Wen Tunhai was slightly angry upon hearing his speech. He spoke in rage, “To tell us the truth or not, is not your decision to make. Where is Wen Yiban? Ask him to come!”
Before the First Uncle’s voice died away, Wen Yiban, akin to a ghost, appeared suddenly in the village. He grinned and produced a smile uglier than crying. He looked at the hundreds of people before him up and down before asking Wen Tunhai, “Who should I start interrogating?”
Gou Changxi self-consciously stepped forward and looked towards Wen Yiban calmly as if he was facing death, “Of course it’s me.”
Wen Leyang heaved a sigh and looked at the First Uncle, who was preparing to speak. A friendly voice echoed from behind him, “Forget it! Wen Tunhai, detoxify them.”
The First Grandpa finally spoke. His expression was kind and affectionate as he walked in front of Gou Changxi and stretched out his hand to pat on his shoulder, “Not bad, young lad. You did well!”
The purple grass on Gou Changxi’s body immediately wilted and dropped off. His shoes and pants were already covered with thousands of holes. Yet, his skin was clean and smooth. There were no grass traces left behind.
The First Grandpa looked towards Wen Leyang once again and instructed loudly, “I think I will feast on the ‘eight big bowls of delicacies’ from the Chinese rural Hui people’s Muslim cuisine. Also, the weather has been rather humid recently. The second brother is always complaining that his muscles are sore. It will be nice if someone were to massage his muscles for him. When the weather is colder, the few of us can have a few pieces of new winter garments to warm us up. This year the mountain received plenty of rain, a few of our houses require new roof tiling…”
Every time the First Grandpa mentioned a task, his gaze would shift towards the corresponding persons. Gou Changxi was smiling initially, yet, at the end, his eyes were filled with astonishment. He had only briefly introduced the people once, yet the old man could remember everyone immediately. He gasped in admiration from the bottom of his heart, “The old master has an impeccable memory!”
The First Grandpa chuckled once when he finally concluded his speech he waved his hand, “Disperse off then. Wen Tunhai, look for a few houses for the folks to settle down.” He turned around and left upon saying that.
Wen Tunhai and Wen Leyang frowned as they chased after the few family elders.
The Second Elder Wen and Third Elder Wen clasped their hands behind their backs and left the village as well.
Gou Changxi gave a mournful expression as he stomped his foot once, “Who will detoxify them?”
Wen Leyang turned around and said, “You can do it by tapping on their shoulders.”
Gou Changxi half-believingly patted on the shoulders of the people beside him. Surprisingly, the purple-colored grass fell off one after another. Only then, he was both surprised and delighted as he started detoxifying for the others. He had an exceptional admiration towards the Wen family’s miraculous Art of Poison. The Grand Elder Wen had only patted on Gou Changxi’s shoulder and it was sufficient for him to detoxify the poison. Gou Changxi was also granted the ability to pat on others’ shoulders to detoxify them as well.
The old Wen Tunhai and the young Wen Leyang, became less and less at ease. The old one rubbed his palms together, while the young one chewed on a carrot, wishing that they could turn into a worm and bore unto Gou Changxi’s heart to find out what was happening.
Grand Elder Wen chuckled as he waved his hand once, “Don’t look so awful. Other than Gou Changxi and the Twelve Moons, the rest are just normal beings. Don’t worry too much.”
Wen Buzuo frowned harder than the rest of the people as if he was anxious about something, “Some came bearing gifts, some came to fight, some came to provide service, what is going on really!” As a profound gossiper, Wen Buzuo’s heart was so anxious. Suddenly his eyes brightened, he said in a soft voice to his brother, “We shall wait by their window and eavesdrop tonight. I guarantee that we will find out everything about them!”
The Three-Inch Nail brother gave a contempt humph, “Alright!”
Fourth Elder Wen smacked the table once and cursed towards the two brothers, “Get out of here! Who gave you the permission to enter?”
The two brothers hastily left. Grand Elder Wen stretched out his hand asking Wen Leyang for a stick of carrot. He took a bite and laughed, “I still don’t understand what is so tasty about this thing!” When he was speaking, the shadows of human figures flashed past. The Second and Third Grandpa, who went out of the village for a stroll had returned. They nodded lightly towards the First Grandpa and used a voice lack of any intonation to speak, “We are done planting the wind-blowing worm.”
Wen Leyang was suddenly enlightened, yet he asked in a puzzled tone, “You planted the ‘wind-chasing dispersal’ onto them?”
The First Uncle Wen Tunhai pondered for a moment. He had a deep admiration from the bottom of his heart as he laughed, “Even us, the inner chamber disciples, were fooled by the First Grandpa’s poison-executing method!” Earlier when the old man patted on Gou Changxi’s shoulder, not only did he plant the cure for the purple grass, he had also planted a type of medicinal powder known as the ‘wind-chasing dispersal’. While Gou Changxi was helping the others to detoxify, he was also planting the medicinal powder onto the others unintentionally.
The ‘wind-chasing dispersal’ had no color, smell, taste, nor was it harmful. However, it was capable of attracting a type of cutworm, known as the ‘wind-blowing worm’. As long as the person, who was planted with this form of medicinal powder, moved, the cutworm would follow the person from underground. The ‘wind-blowing worm’ would only tail after the person underground and it would not be traceable at all. The Wen family had its own method to follow the tracks of the ‘wind-blowing worm’, they would know where these cutworms had been without stepping out of their houses.
Grand Elder Wen chuckled, “Our Wen family will be despised by others if we were to forcefully remove the people, heh-heh, let them continue to make a fuss then. I believe that there will come a day the truth will finally be revealed!” He stopped for a moment upon saying that, and complemented, “From now on keep receiving the gifts from those who come bearing gifts!”
Wen Tunhai nodded his head, he still had some hesitation when he asked, “Why don’t we…let Wen Leyang make a call to the Great Mercy Temple? They are all cultivators, maybe they can…”
He was halfway through his sentence when he was interrupted by Fourth Elder Wen. “The Great Mercy Temple’s matter belongs to the Great Mercy Temple, the Wen family’s matter belongs to the Wen family. We don’t need to stir up a great mass of people over such minute matter.”
When the group of people that came to the mountain had finally settled in with the help of Wen Tunhai, they immediately got busy. Everyone was busy with their own chores. Some performed body measurement to tailor-make clothing, some performed massages in order to relax the muscles, some stir fried vegetable, and cooked et cetera. They were conscientious and meticulous in fulfilling all Grand Elder Wen’s requests. The chefs really did prepare the Muslim cuisine of ‘eight big bowls of delicacies’ and sent it into the Grand Elder Wen’s room during dinner time, while the rest of the group stayed in the house. They did not even come out to take a stroll.
The Twelve Moons divided themselves into three shifts. They followed closely next to Wen Leyang at all times. There were never any expressions on their faces. When they were on duty, their bodies were tensed, the eyes of four of them would look into four directions. There were no blind spots. Even during the change of shift, no one was slacking. Those who came in to take over the shift and those passing over the shift would stay on guard together for one hour. Only then the people passing over shift would leave to return to the house directly to have meals and sleep.
Gou Changxi did not appear on usual days. However, whenever the two words of ‘Gou Changxi’ were mentioned from the mouth of Wen Leyang, he would immediately answer the call and appeared out of nowhere suddenly. Wen Xiaoyi was startled on many occasions.
For the many days that followed, these manservants who came to the mountain did not show any derailing behaviors. When they were tasked with a chore, they got busy; when they were unoccupied they slept. They barely even spoke to one another. Wen Buzuo’s eavesdropping was a failure.
The Wen family village became corrupted. Even though the Wen family was wealthy, in the past, they never devoted particular care towards their attire or food. However, feasting on the cuisines served by celebrity chefs, dressed in professionally-tailored fine garments, the Wen family even had the manservants to cut their hair and trimmed their beard. The manservants would complain to Gou Changxi every once in a while, “Master Gou, I thought we are here to serve one person. Why are we serving the entire village? I think our pay shall not be calculated as before.”
Gou Changxi nodded, “Certainly, certainly, I will give you folks a pay raise!”
Ten days later, Gou Changxi approached Wen Leyang and asked with the utmost respect, “Young master, are you satisfied with these manservants? If there is any dissatisfaction, I will change the staff right away.”
Wen Leyang did not know what to say. He was pleading in his heart for Gou Changxi to not ask him these questions but to ask the First Grandpa. He could only nod his head and laugh, “Satisfied, satisfied.”
At this moment, a gust of familiar roaring laugher suddenly echoed from the village entrance. Beaming with joy, Ji Fei and Shui Jing made an obeisance by cupping their hands before their chests from far away, “Wen…um, congratulations to you, to your great rejoicing! To your great rejoicing!”
Before they could finish their sentence, a fiery-red pretty shadow leaped out behind the two monks. Next to the young girl, a plump little boy leaped out with both hands on his hips, felt cap on the top of his head, sunglasses covering his eyes and dressed in floral-patterned fine clothes.
It seemed like the bronze pan was only a temporary improvised makeshift for Ah Dan when he lost his felt cap.
Wen Leyang was elated. Wen Xiaoyi who was following by his side cheered as well, “Mumu!”
On the contrary, Mumu had a fierce and raging appearance. She clenched her teeth, in bitter hatred, towards Wen Leyang and cursed, “Wen Leyang, I…I will fight you!” As she was saying that, the pair of Spirit Calming Needles flung out of her hands like a fairy sparrow and she pounced towards Wen Leyang. Wen Leyang was stunned. Suddenly, four loud shouts could be heard simultaneously behind him. Four people with short blades in their hands appeared from four directions and pursued after Mumu as fast as lightning in midair! Their speed was so swift that one with normal vision could not capture the sight!
The ‘Twelve Moons’ had never fought anyone since they ascended the mountain. They never left the master’s side at all times but sometimes they were out of the master’s sight. Gradually, Wen Leyang forgot about their existence. He did not expect that they would suddenly release a join attack as fast as lightning.
Mumu did not expect that there were four bodyguards lying in the grass pit. She was utterly unprepared to react to that. She could only shut her eyes tightly. The rampant wind created by the opposing party’s attack had already brushed past her charming bangs. Suddenly, something tightened around her ankles. She was pulled away a split second before the opposing party’s blades slashed her.
Mumu screamed out in shock. When she opened her eyes again, Wen Leyang was hugging herself with an elated expression, “Why did you come here?”
Suddenly, crackling and spluttering noises echoed from the sky. Soon after, that four scurrying bodyguards, that were like tigers in wrath and leopards in a hunt, slammed down to the ground messily, in an extremely awkward manner.
Ah Dan also leaped down from midair. He picked up the cap that was dropped to the ground in an imposing manner, flicked off the soil on it and latched the cap onto his bald head. He flaunted his fists arrogantly towards the bodyguards that had red handprints on their faces.
Mumu struggled free from Wen Leyang’s cradle while she blushed scarlet. The few family elders of the Wen family and Wen Tunhai came rushing forward upon receiving the news, just in time to receive the two monks Ji Fei and Shui Jing who were running over madly. Ji Fei gave a thumbs up to the First Uncle Wen Tunhai, as he praised loudly, “First Uncle, you are awesome! It is just as you said!”
Wen Tunhai was stunned as he asked in astonishment, “What did I say?”
The fat monk reminded loudly, “As you said, the One Word Palace has taken an interest in Wen Leyang. They want to betroth Wen Leyang as their son-in-law! Hah-hah, this is truly an unexpected romance!”
Mumu was burning in a fury of rage. She stomped her foot and scolded the fat monk, “Monk, why are you so happy about this!”
“An unexpected romance? The people of Wen Bucao must be careful not to turn a joyous event into a mournful event!” The Heads of the Luo family followed along. They were walking slowly into the village. A sunburnt dark-skinned zombie corpse followed behind each of them. Mumu returned to her position next to the two outstanding cultivators feeling both angry and injustice.
Ah Dan babbled about as he ran over and squatted down next to Wen Leyang. He patted on Leyang’s foot as he removed his little sunglasses and greeted Wen Leyang familiarly. More than half a year had passed, Ah Dan was becoming more and more like a living baby. The dark eye circles faded so much that it was almost invisible. His gaze was playful and cheeky. Little pearly whites filled his mouth and his little tongue was rosy red and plump. His complexion was so smooth and delicate like an infant, making one want to pinch on his cute little cheeks.
The main butler Gou Changxi waved his hand around towards his inferiors happily, before returning to his house quietly. At the sound of a bang, he locked his door tightly, intentionally conveying his fear and reluctance to partake in this matter.
Wen Leyang’s expression was filled with astonishment, “What on earth happened?”
The old monk Ji Fei snickered as he procured a little hand-held electric fan from his chest pocket relaxingly and fanned himself with a whooshing sound.
It was not until Wen Xiaoyi made a fierce expression and touched the big-muzzled weapon, the old monk spoke hastily, “Good fellow, the two of us brothers had not been out in the world for some time. Upon leaving the mountain, we found out that the leader of the One Word Palace of Lake Luohai took an interest in you. He wanted to betroth his precious daughter as your wife!”
Wen Leyang felt that his cheeks were burning, he used the corner of his eyes and saw that Mumu had almost turned into the Ultraman, her big eyes were almost spurting fires.
Wen Buzuo was the one with the most pressing thirst for information, “Is your information reliable?”
Suddenly a childish cheer echoed from not far away. Ah Dan who was strolling around in the village came face to face with the delicate pony that was galloping around in the village. Ah Dan pounced over and hugged onto the little pony’s neck. He rubbed his plump face all over the pony’s neck. The little pony flung its tail around and neighed once, its expression unbothered.
The fat monk answered in low, muffled voice, “Extremely dependable. The information was revealed unintentionally by a senior elder of the One Word Palace! The information had already spread through the entire cultivation world. The folks said that they did not know how the One Word Palace turned insane, as they deliberately want to stick their fairy maiden as beautiful as a flower onto a pile of cow’s…um stick into the flower pot.”
Fortunately, the fat monk managed to change his words. Otherwise, he would have offended the principle of making contemptuous remarks of his teacher.
Ji Fei was done cooling himself with the electric fan. He took out a can of Wong Lo Kat Chinese herbal tea from his pocket. “I am certain that this information is correct. The competent people of One Word Palace heard of such information. Hence, they rushed over to send gifts to us, the disciples of Wen Bucao…”
The strange happenings from the recent over a month ago were finally clarified. The information that the One Word Palace picked the Wen family as their relative-by-marriage leaked. Hence, the countless little sects that attached themselves to the One Word Palace competed against one another to be friendly with the Wen family. It seemed like the people who came looking for trouble in the mountain earlier were the admirers of the leader’s precious daughter. They heard that their lovers would soon be married off to this normal being and they were unhappy. As for the group of old Gou’s people, they were sent directly from the One Word Palace.
Wen Leyang was stunned. Even if this information was true, why would they do so?
